Name
Arthur Wilkins
5 Mar 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/09/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/10834
Rifle Brigade
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 16 B and 16 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Arthur Wilkins was born on 5 Mar 1996 in Tring (baptised 11 Dec 1898) to Mark Wilkins, labourer, and Mary Ann (nee Dover).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Alice (born 1877, silk thrower), William (born 1879), George (born 1883), Frederick (born 1885), Herbert (born 1885), Jesse (born 1891) were living at 62, Brook Street, Tring.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, George, Herbert, Joseph (born 1894) and Arthur were living at 76, Akeman Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census Arthur was a labourer and still living at 76, Akeman Street with his parents and brother Joseph who was a museum attendant.
Wartime Service
Arthur volunteered on 2 Sep 1914 initially as a Private 12599 in Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry but not for long as on 1 Oct 1914 he was transferred to 7th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. On 16 Mar 1915 he was again transferred to 10th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own ). becoming Rifleman S/10834. He was promoted to Acting Corporal on 21 Jul 1915 on the day he went to France with the Battalion from Folkestone to become part of the 20th (Light) Division.
He sustained a Gun Shot Wound on 30 Sep 1915 and was treated at Etaples returning to his unit on 12 Dec 1915 and reverted to Rifleman on 3 Jan 1916.
Arthur was posted Missing during fighting at Delville Wood (15 Jul – 3 Sep 1916 , a battle in the many battles of the Somme) and his death accepted as killed in action on 3 Sep 1916.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £8 10s and arrears of £12 12s 5d was paid to his father Mark.
Arthur is also commemorated on the family grave in Tring Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads: ALSO OF ARTHUR WILKINS, 10TH RF SON OF THE ABOVE [Mary Ann Wilkins] KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE SEPTEMBER 3RD 1916, AGED 20 YEARS. “We all do fade as a leaf.”
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
